The pro-Western President Sandu is said to have a good chance, but a runoff election is likely. The election is considered groundbreaking – also because of a referendum.
In the small former Soviet republic of Moldova, the presidential election and the referendum on the country’s EU course began this morning without incident, according to the authorities. This was announced by election officer Angelica Caraman in the capital Chisinau. Earlier in the morning, tens of thousands of people cast their votes in Chisinau.
30 polling stations are also open in the Transnistria region, which has broken away from Moldova, and 231 polling stations abroad. In Moscow, long queues formed in front of the embassy of the country torn between the West and Russia. Moldova lies between EU member Romania and Ukraine and is a candidate for EU membership.
The pro-Western President Maia Sandu, who is aiming for a second term in office, has at the same time called the referendum with which the EU course of the impoverished agricultural country is to be anchored in the constitution. A total of eleven candidates have been accepted, including some who are committed to good relations with Russia.
Security authorities in Moldova have previously uncovered disinformation and vote-buying by pro-Russian forces. Russia, on the other hand, accuses the EU of using the promise of billions in aid to influence voters.
Sandu is the favorite, but a runoff is likely
The 52-year-old Sandu is considered the favorite. Their approval ratings in surveys were recently around 36 percent. A runoff election with the second-place candidate is likely in two weeks if they do not receive an absolute majority of votes in the first round.
Moldova has around 2.5 million inhabitants. Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans who live abroad – mainly in the EU – and in the breakaway Transnistria region controlled by Russia are also called to vote. The polling stations in the country are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (6 a.m. to 8 p.m. CEST). Significant results are expected late in the evening.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
